U.S. patent number 7,934,167 [Application Number 12/241,729] was granted by the patent office on 2011-04-26 for scrolling device content.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Nokia Corporation. Invention is credited to Aki Petri Happonen.
United States Patent |
7,934,167 |
Happonen |
April 26, 2011 |
Scrolling device content
Abstract
A method including displaying content on a display of a device,
dividing the display into two or more display sections with a first
pointing device where each of the two or more display sections
includes a respective portion of the content, and scrolling the
respective portion of the content in at least one of the two or
more display sections with a second pointing device such that
non-contiguous content is displayed in the two or more display
sections.
Inventors: |
Happonen; Aki Petri (Kiiminki,
FI) |
Assignee: |
Nokia Corporation (Espoo,
FI)
|
Family
ID: |
42059018 |
Appl.
No.: |
12/241,729 |
Filed: |
September 30, 2008 |
Prior Publication Data
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|
|
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20100083166 A1 |
Apr 1, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
715/786; 715/830;
715/783; 715/833 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F
3/0488 (20130101); G06F 3/0485 (20130101); G06F
2203/04803 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G06F
3/048 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;715/764,783-788,818,830,833,845,851,855 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Hailu; Tadeese
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Perman & Green, LLP
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method comprising: displaying content on a display of a
device; dividing the display into two or more display sections with
a first pointing device where each of the two or more display
sections includes a respective portion of the content; and
scrolling the respective portion of the content in at least one of
the two or more display sections with a second pointing device such
that non-contiguous content is displayed in the two or more display
sections.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:
indicating at least one display section divider with the first
pointing device at a predetermined location on the display, wherein
the at least one display section divider defines the two or more
display sections; and moving the second pointing device relative to
the display within at least one of the two or more display sections
for effecting the scrolling of the respective portion of the
content.
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising that indicating the at
least one display section divider and moving the second pointing
device occur substantially simultaneously.
4. The method of claim 1 further comprising that dividing the
display into two or more display sections comprises detecting an
input from the first pointing device, where the display remains
divided as long as the input is sustained.
5. The method of claim 4, further comprising returning the display
to an undivided display when the input is no longer detected.
6. An apparatus comprising: a display; and a processor connected to
the display, the processor being configured to cause a presentation
of content on the display, detect a first input from a first
pointing device and cause the display to be divided into two or
more display sections, each display section including a respective
portion of the content, and detect a second input from a second
pointing device and cause a scrolling of the respective content in
at least one of the two or more display sections.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the processor is further
configured to cause a presentation of a display section divider on
the display, wherein the display section divider defines the two or
more display sections.
8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the processor is further
configured to cause the display to be divided into the two or more
display sections as long as the first input is sustained and return
the display to an undivided display when the first input is no
longer detected.
9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the processor is configured to
detect the first input and the second input substantially
simultaneously.
10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first input comprises a
detection of a substantially stationary touching of the display
with the first pointing device at a predetermined location and the
second input comprises a detection of movement of the second
pointing device relative to one of the two or more display sections
in which the scrolling of the respective content occurs.
11. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the scrolling of the
respective content in the at least one of the two or more display
sections effects a display of non-contiguous content in the two or
more display sections.
12. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the processor is further
configured to cause the scrolling of the respective content in at
least one of the two or more display sections independent of the
respective content in other different ones of the two or more
display sections.
13. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the apparatus comprises a
mobile communication terminal.
14. A computer program product comprising: a computer readable
storage medium stored in a memory having computer readable code
means embodied therein for causing a computer to non-contiguously
display a content on a display, the computer readable code means in
the computer program product comprising: computer readable program
code means for causing a computer to detect a first input from a
first pointing device and cause the display to be divided into two
or more display sections, each display section including a
respective portion of the content; and computer readable program
code means for causing a computer to detect a second input from a
second pointing device and cause a scrolling of the respective
content in at least one of the two or more display sections.
15. The computer program product of claim 14, further comprising
computer readable program code means for causing a computer to
present a display section divider on the display, wherein the
display section divider defines the two or more display
sections.
16. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the display
is divided into the two or more display sections as long as the
first input is sustained and the display is returned to an
undivided display when the first input is no longer detected and
wherein the first input and the second input are detected
substantially simultaneously.
17. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the first
input comprises a detection of a substantially stationary touching
of the display with the first pointing device at a predetermined
location and the second input comprises a detection of movement of
the second pointing device relative to one of the two or more
display sections in which the scrolling of the respective content
occurs.
18. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the scrolling
of the respective content in the at least one of the two or more
display sections effects a display of non-contiguous content in the
two or more display sections.
19. A user interface comprising: a multi-touch display for
displaying content; and a processor connected to the display and
configured to detect at least a first and second input on the
multi-touch display, wherein the first and second input are
detected substantially simultaneously, cause a division of the
display into two or more display sections in response to the first
input, where each display section includes a respective portion of
the display content, and cause scrolling of the respective portion
of the display content in response to the second input so that
non-contiguous content is presented on the display.
20. The user interface of claim 19, where each of the respective
portions of the display content of the two or more display sections
is independently scrollable.
Description
BACKGROUND
1. Field
The aspects of the disclosed embodiments generally relate to
viewing content in a device and more particularly to scrolling
through content in a mobile device.
2. Brief Description of Related Developments
Generally, it is difficult to view and/or compare content on
devices, such as for example mobile communication devices, having
small displays because only a portion of the content is visible at
one time. To view and/or compare the content with the small display
a user generally scrolls the content back and forth between
portions of the content, for example, being compared or viewed. As
a non-limiting example, a user may desire to compare the first and
last items in a list of items presented on the display, however,
the first and last items may not be presented on the display at the
same time due to, for example the a size of the list in conjunction
with the small display. As such, the user generally scrolls back
and forth between the first and last items in the list to make the
comparison.
It would be advantageous to be able to view and/or compare content
presented on a display such that the content being viewed and/or
compared are presented simultaneously on the display.
SUMMARY
In one aspect of the disclosed embodiments, a method is provided.
The method includes displaying content on a display of a device,
dividing the display into two or more display sections with a first
pointing device where each of the two or more display sections
includes a respective portion of the content, and scrolling the
respective portion of the content in at least one of the two or
more display sections with a second pointing device such that
non-contiguous content is displayed in the two or more display
sections.
In another aspect of the disclosed embodiments, an apparatus is
provided. The apparatus includes a display, and a processor
connected to the display, the processor being configured to cause a
presentation of content on the display, detect a first input from a
first pointing device and cause the display to be divided into two
or more display sections, each display section including a
respective portion of the content, and detect a second input from a
second pointing device and cause a scrolling of the respective
content in at least one of the two or more display sections.
In yet another aspect of the disclosed embodiments, a computer
program product is provided. The computer program product includes
a computer useable medium stored in a memory having computer
readable code means embodied therein for causing a computer to
non-contiguously display a content on a display. The computer
readable code means in the computer program product includes
computer readable program code means for causing a computer to
detect a first input from a first pointing device and cause the
display to be divided into two or more display sections, each
display section including a respective portion of the content, and
computer readable program code means for causing a computer to
detect a second input from a second pointing device and cause a
scrolling of the respective content in at least one of the two or
more display sections.
I still another aspect of the disclosed embodiments, a user
interface is provided. The user interface includes a multi-touch
display for displaying content, and a processor connected to the
display and configured to detect at least a first and second input
on the multi-touch display, wherein the first and second input are
detected substantially simultaneously, cause a division of the
display into two or more display sections in response to the first
input, where each display section includes a respective portion of
the display content, and cause scrolling of the respective portion
of the display content in response to the second input so that
non-contiguous content is presented on the display.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing aspects and other features of the embodiments are
explained in the following description, taken in connection with
the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a system in which aspects of the
disclosed embodiments may be applied;
FIGS. 2A-2D illustrate an exemplary application of aspects of the
disclosed embodiments;
FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a content scrolling process
incorporating aspects of the disclosed embodiments;
FIGS. 4A and 4B are illustrations of exemplary devices that can be
used to practice aspects of the disclosed embodiments;
FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary system
incorporating features that may be used to practice aspects of the
disclosed embodiments; and
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the general architecture of
an exemplary system in which the devices of FIGS. 4A and 4B may be
used.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT(S)
FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a system 100 in which aspects
of the disclosed embodiments can be applied. Although the disclosed
embodiments will be described with reference to the embodiments
shown in the drawings and described below, it should be understood
that these could be embodied in many alternate forms. In addition,
any suitable size, shape or type of elements or materials could be
used.
The aspects of the disclosed embodiments generally allow a user to
scroll content on a small display such that two or more suitable
portions of the display can be simultaneously viewed. Generally
content viewed on small displays such as those found on portable
communication devices is larger than the display so that only a
small portion of the content may be presented on the display at one
time. As such that the content is generally scrolled on the display
or otherwise navigated through to explore the entirety of the
content. In one aspect of the disclosed embodiments, the display
may be divided into two or more display sections, where each
display section includes a respective portion of the content. For
exemplary purposes only, the displayed content may include one or
more of a list, a spreadsheet, a web page, address/phone books,
word processing documents, images, pictures, maps or any other
suitable document or combination of documents stored in or
accessible by the system 100. The disclosed embodiments effectively
treat each display section as an individual display to allow for
individual scrolling of the content in each of the two or more
display sections. Individually scrolling the content in each
display section allows for the presentation of a desired portion of
the content in each display area for viewing and/or comparing.
As a non-limiting example, the disclosed embodiments will be
described with respect to the presentation of a list of items on
the display but it should be understood that any suitable display
content, including but not limited to the types of content
described above, may be presented and scrolled in the manner
described herein. In one example, the display may be divided into
two sections where a beginning of a list is displayed in a first
section of the display. A content of the second section of the
display may be scrolled so that an end of the list is shown
simultaneously with the beginning of the list, where the beginning
and end of the list would not otherwise be presented together on
the display.
Referring to FIG. 1, the system 100 of the disclosed embodiments
can generally include input device(s) 104, output device(s) 106,
process module 122, applications module 180, and storage/memory
device(s) 182. The components described herein are merely exemplary
and are not intended to encompass all components that can be
included in the system 100. The system 100 can also include one or
more processors or computer program products to execute the
processes, methods, sequences, algorithms and instructions
described herein.
The input device(s) 104 are generally configured to allow a user to
input data, instructions and commands to the system 100. In one
embodiment, the input device 104 can be configured to receive input
commands remotely or from another device that is not local to the
system 100. The input device 104 can include devices such as, for
example, keys 110, touch screen 112 and menu 124. In alternate
embodiments the input device 104 can comprise any suitable
device(s) or means that allows or provides for the input of data,
information and/or instructions to a device, as described
herein.
The output device(s) 106 are configured to allow information and
data to be presented via the user interface 102 of the system 100
and can include one or more devices such as, for example, a display
114 (which can be part of or include a touch screen 112), audio
device 115 or tactile output device 116. In one embodiment, the
output device 106 can be configured to transmit information to
another device, which can be remote from the system 100. While the
input device 104 and output device 106 are shown as separate
devices, in one embodiment, the input device 104 and output device
106 can be combined into a single device, and be part of and form,
the user interface 102. The user interface 102 of the disclosed
embodiments can be generally configured to allow a user to divide
the display 114 into two or more display sections and scroll a
content presented in a respective display section independent of a
content presented in other different ones of the two or more
display sections. While certain devices are shown in FIG. 1, the
scope of the disclosed embodiments is not limited by any one or
more of these devices, and an exemplary embodiment can include
additional devices or exclude one or more of the devices shown. For
example, in one exemplary embodiment, the system 100 may only
provide a touch screen 112 capable of presenting one or more soft
keys (e.g. the system 100 does not include any hard or dedicated
keys). In other examples, a headset, or other listening device, can
be used as part of both the input devices 104 and output devices
106 so that the display can be divided into two or more display
sections and content can be scrolled in an audible fashion.
The process module 122 is generally configured to execute the
processes and methods of the disclosed embodiments. The application
process controller 132 can be configured to interface with the
applications module 180, for example, and execute applications
processes with respect to the other modules of the system 100. In
one embodiment, the applications module 180 is configured to
interface with applications that are stored either locally to or
remote from the system 100 and/or web-based applications. The
applications module 180 can include any one of a variety of
applications that may be installed, configured or accessed by the
system 100, such as for example, office, business, media players
and multimedia applications, web browsers and maps. In alternate
embodiments, the applications module 180 can include any suitable
application. The communication module 134 shown in FIG. 1 is
generally configured to allow the device to receive and send
communications and messages, such as text messages, chat messages,
multimedia messages, video and email, for example. The
communication module 134 is also configured to receive information,
data and communications from other devices and systems.
In one aspect of the disclosed embodiments, the process module 122
includes a scrolling module 136 for allowing the process module 122
to carryout aspects of the disclosed embodiments described herein.
In one embodiment, the scrolling module 136 may be integral to the
process module 122. In alternate embodiments the scrolling module
136 may be separate from the process module 122. The scrolling
module 136 may be configured to divide the display 114 into one or
more display sections such that each display section includes a
respective portion of a displayed content. Referring also to FIGS.
2A-2C, an exemplary display 200 is shown. The display 200 may be
substantially similar to display 114 unless otherwise noted. In
this example, a list 210 of items is presented on the display 200.
The display 200 may be divided into a first display section 230 and
a second display section 240 by the scrolling module 136. In
alternate embodiments, the display may be divided into any suitable
number of sections. One or more dividers or virtual display section
barriers 220 may be presented on the display 200 to indicate, for
example, the border of each display section. In this example, the
divider 200 is presented as a substantially straight line disposed
generally in the direction of the text (e.g. the divider is
substantially parallel with the lines of text). In alternate
embodiments the divider may have any suitable shape, configuration
and/or orientation relative to the display contents. For example,
in alternate embodiments, the orientation of the divider 220 may be
adjustable by, for example, moving the pointing device 250 (or more
than one pointing device) relative to the display 200 in any
suitable manner. For example, the divider 220 may include a first
end 220A and a second end 220B. One end of the divider 220A may be
stationary while the second end 220B may be movable depending on a
position of the pointing device 250. In another example, both ends
220A, 220B may be movable depending on a position of two pointing
devices (e.g. one pointing device located at each end of the
divider 220). In still other alternate embodiments, the different
display sections may be indicated as such by presenting the
different display sections with respective background colors (e.g.
display section 230 has a first background color and display
section 240 has a second background color, where the first and
second background colors are different from each other). In
accordance with one aspect of the disclosed embodiments, the size
of the display sections 230, 240 may also be adjusted by, for
example, moving the pointing device relative to the display 200.
For example, as can be seen in FIG. 2D the position of the divider
220 may be moved towards a bottom 200B of the display so that the
size of the display section 230 is increased and the size of
display section 240 is decreased.
The scrolling module 136 may be configured so that each display
section 230, 240 is individually operable to act as, for example, a
separate display. For example, initially when the display is
divided into one or more section, the content presented in the one
or more section may be contiguous (e.g. presented in an unbroken
sequence). As can be seen in FIG. 2B, when the display 200 is
initially divided into display sections 230, 240 the items in the
list 210 are contiguously presented as they would be if the display
sections were not created. For example, the items in the list 230
are presented as consecutively organized items (e.g. organized with
consecutive letters A, B, C, D . . . ). In this example, the
display 200 is sized so that only six items (e.g. items A-F) in the
list 210 are presented at a time on the display 200. In accordance
with an aspect of the disclosed embodiments, the content on each
display section 230, 240 may be individually scrolled so that
non-contiguous portions of the content are presented in a
respective display section. The scrolling module 136 is configured
so that the one or more of the sections may be scrolled so that the
items in the list are no longer contiguous. For example, as can be
seen in FIGS. 2B and 2C, the display section 240 is scrolled in the
direction of arrow A so that items G through I are presented in the
display section 240 while the presentation of items A through C in
display section 230 remains unchanged. Scrolling the content of
each individual display section 230, 240 independently of the
content in other different ones of the display sections 230, 240
allows for simultaneous viewing of non-contiguous portions of the
content so that the non-contiguous content may be, for example,
compared side by side and/or viewed simultaneously for any other
suitable purposes. It should be understood that the content of any
one of the two of the two or more display sections may be scrolled
or otherwise navigated through in the manner described herein.
Referring to FIGS. 2A-2C and 3 an exemplary process in accordance
with an aspect of the disclosed embodiments will be described. In
accordance with an aspect of the exemplary embodiments, any
suitable content, such as the list 210, is presented on the display
200 (FIG. 3, Block 300). The process module 122 (FIG. 1), which
includes the scrolling module 136 (FIG. 1), is configured to detect
a division of the display (FIG. 3, Block 310). In one aspect the
process module 122 may be configured to detect the display division
through, for example, the touch screen 112 (FIG. 1) which may be
part of the display 200. For example, any suitable pointing device
250, such as a user's finger or stylus, may be brought into
substantial contact or proximity with a predetermined location on
the display 200. The process module 122 may be configured to detect
the pointing device and place a divider 220 on the display at the
predetermined location for dividing the display into display
sections 230, 240 (FIG. 3, Block 320).
When the display 200 is divided into display sections 230, 240 the
content presented in each display section 230, 240 can be scrolled
independently of the content presented in the other display
sections. For example, referring to FIG. 2B the content of display
section 240 may be scrolled independently of the content presented
in display section 230. In one aspect a pointing device 260 may be
used to scroll the contents of the display section 340. In one
embodiment, where the display 200 includes a "single touch" screen
(e.g. where only one pointing device is used to navigate on and
about the screen) the pointing device 260 may be the same pointing
device as pointing device 250. In another embodiment, where the
display 200 includes a "multi-touch" screen (e.g. where one or more
pointing devices can navigate on and about the screen) the pointing
device 260 may be a second pointing device that is used on the
screen in conjunction with pointing device 250. The process module
122 may be configured to detect contact or a proximity connection
between the second pointing device 260 and the display 200 as well
as motion of the second pointing device 260 relative to the display
200. For example, the process module 122 may detect that the second
pointing device 260 is moved in the direction of arrow A and cause
the content of the display section 340 to be moved or scrolled in
the same direction the pointing device 260 is moved (e.g. in the
direction of arrow A) (FIG. 3, Block 330). As can be seen in FIG.
2C, scrolling of the content in display section 240 caused the
content to change so that, for exemplary purposes only, items G
through I are presented in the display section 240 while the
content of display section 230 remains unchanged. It should be
understood that the content of the display section 240, or any
other display section, may be scrolled in any suitable direction so
that a desired portion of the display content is presented in a
respective display section.
The divided display as shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C may be returned to
the undivided display as shown in FIG. 2A in any suitable manner
(FIG. 3, Block 340). In one aspect of the disclosed embodiments,
where for example the display is a "multi-touch" display, the
divider 220 (or any other suitable indicator) is presented on the
display 200 and the display remains divided into display sections
as long as an input from the pointing device is detected and
sustained. For example, the display is divided into display
sections when the pointing device 250 is in substantial contact or
proximate the display and is returned to an undivided or contiguous
display as shown in FIG. 2A when the pointing device 250 is
substantially removed from the display. In other aspects of the
disclosed embodiments, where the display includes a "single-touch"
display, the divider 220 may be placed on the display 200 through
detection of a first touch of the pointing device 250 at the
predetermined location and removed from the display through a
detection of a second touch at the predetermined location such that
when the divider is removed the display returns to an undivided or
contiguous display as shown in FIG. 2A. In alternate embodiments,
the display 200 may be divided into display sections 230, 240
and/or returned to the undivided display 200 in any suitable manner
such as through a multi-function or scroll key (or any other
suitable keys or pointing devices; see e.g. keys 430, 454 in FIGS.
4A and 4B) of the system 100.
Referring to FIG. 1, in one embodiment as described above, the user
interface of the disclosed embodiments can be implemented on or in
a device that includes a touch screen display 112, proximity screen
device or other graphical user interface. In one embodiment, the
display 112 can be integral to the system 100. In alternate
embodiments the display may be a peripheral display connected or
coupled to the system 100. A pointing device, such as for example,
a stylus, pen or simply the user's finger may be used with the
display 112. In alternate embodiments any suitable pointing device
may be used. The display can also include or comprise, for example,
a flat display that is typically made of a liquid crystal display
(LCD) with optional back lighting, such as a thin film transistor
(TFT) matrix capable of displaying color images. Although display
114 of FIG. 1 is shown as being associated with output device 106,
in one embodiment, displays 112 and 114 form a single display
unit.
The terms "select" and "touch" are generally described herein with
respect to a touch screen-display. However, in alternate
embodiments, the terms are intended to encompass the required user
action with respect to other input devices. For example, with
respect to a proximity screen device, it is not necessary for the
user to make direct contact in order to select an object or other
information, such as text, on the screen of the device. Thus, the
above noted terms are intended to include that a user only needs to
be within the proximity of the device to carry out the desired
function. It should also be understood that arrow keys on a
keyboard, mouse style devices and other cursors could be used as
the pointing device and to move a pointer.
Similarly, the scope of the intended devices is not limited to
single-touch or multi-touch contact devices. Non-touch devices are
also intended to be encompassed by the disclosed embodiments.
Non-touch devices include, but are not limited to, devices without
touch or proximity displays or screens, where navigation on the
display and menus of the various applications is performed through,
for example, keys 110 of the system or through voice commands via
voice recognition features of the system.
Some examples of devices on which aspects of the disclosed
embodiments can be practiced are illustrated with respect to FIGS.
4A-4B. The devices are merely exemplary and are not intended to
encompass all possible devices or all aspects of devices on which
the disclosed embodiments can be practiced. The aspects of the
disclosed embodiments can rely on very basic capabilities of
devices and their user interfaces. Buttons or key inputs can be
used for selecting and controlling the functions and commands
described herein, and a scroll key function can be used to move to
and select item(s), such as text.
As shown in FIG. 4A, the device 400, which in one embodiment
comprises a mobile communication device or terminal may have a
keypad 410 as an input device and a display 420 for an output
device. In one embodiment, the keypad 410 forms part of the display
unit 420. The keypad 410 may include any suitable user input
devices such as, for example, a multi-function/scroll key 430, soft
keys 431, 432, a call key 433, an end call key 434 and alphanumeric
keys 435. The display 420 may be any suitable display such as, for
example, a touch screen display or graphical user interface. The
display may be integral to the device 400 or the display may be a
peripheral display connected or coupled to the device 400. A
pointing device such as, for example, a stylus, pen or simply the
user's finger may be used in conjunction with the display 420 for
cursor movement, menu selection, text selection and other input and
commands. In alternate embodiments, any suitable pointing or touch
device may be used. In other alternate embodiments, the display may
be a conventional display. The device 400 may also include other
suitable features such as, for example, a loud speaker, headset,
tactile feedback devices or connectivity port. The mobile
communications device may have at least one processor 418 connected
or coupled to the display for processing user inputs and displaying
information and links on the display 420, as well as carrying out
the aspects of the embodiments described herein. At least one
memory device 402 may be connected or coupled to the processor 418
for storing any suitable information, data, settings and/or
applications associated with the mobile communications device
400.
In the embodiment where the device 400 comprises a mobile
communications device, the device can be adapted for communication
in a telecommunication system, such as that shown in FIG. 5. In
such a system, various telecommunications services such as cellular
voice calls, worldwide web/wireless application protocol (www/wap)
browsing, cellular video calls, data calls, facsimile
transmissions, data transmissions, music transmissions, multimedia
transmissions, still image transmission, video transmissions,
electronic message transmissions and electronic commerce may be
performed between the mobile terminal 500 and other devices, such
as another mobile terminal 506, a line telephone 532, a computing
device 526 and/or an internet server 522.
In one embodiment the system is configured to enable any one or
combination of chat messaging, instant messaging, text messaging
and/or electronic mail, and the text-to-speech conversion process
described herein can be applied to the computer understandable text
in such messages and/or communications. It is to be noted that for
different embodiments of the mobile device or terminal 500, and in
different situations, some of the telecommunications services
indicated above may or may not be available. The aspects of the
disclosed embodiments are not limited to any particular set of
services or communication system, protocol or language in this
respect.
The mobile terminals 500, 506 may be connected to a mobile
telecommunications network 510 through radio frequency (RF) links
502, 508 via base stations 504, 509. The mobile telecommunications
network 510 may be in compliance with any commercially available
mobile telecommunications standard such as for example the global
system for mobile communications (GSM), universal mobile
telecommunication system (UMTS), digital advanced mobile phone
service (D-AMPS), code division multiple access 2000 (CDMA2000),
wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), wireless local area
network (WLAN), freedom of mobile multimedia access (FOMA) and time
division-synchronous code division multiple access (TD-SCDMA).
The mobile telecommunications network 510 may be operatively
connected to a wide area network 520, which may be the Internet or
a part thereof. An Internet server 522 has data storage 524 and is
connected to the wide area network 520, as is an Internet client
526. The server 522 may host a worldwide web/wireless application
protocol server capable of serving worldwide web/wireless
application protocol content to the mobile terminal 500.
A public switched telephone network (PSTN) 530 may be connected to
the mobile telecommunications network 510 in a familiar manner.
Various telephone terminals, including the stationary telephone
532, may be connected to the public switched telephone network
530.
The mobile terminal 500 is also capable of communicating locally
via a local link 501 to one or more local devices 503. The local
links 501 may be any suitable type of link or piconet with a
limited range, such as for example Bluetooth.TM., a Universal
Serial Bus (USB) link, a wireless Universal Serial Bus (WUSB) link,
an IEEE 802.11 wireless local area network (WLAN) link, an RS-232
serial link, etc. The local devices 503 can, for example, be
various sensors that can communicate measurement values or other
signals to the mobile terminal 500 over the local link 501. The
above examples are not intended to be limiting, and any suitable
type of link or short range communication protocol may be utilized.
The local devices 503 may be antennas and supporting equipment
forming a wireless local area network implementing Worldwide
Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX, IEEE 802.16), WiFi
(IEEE 802.11x) or other communication protocols. The wireless local
area network may be connected to the Internet. The mobile terminal
500 may thus have multi-radio capability for connecting wirelessly
using mobile communications network 510, wireless local area
network or both. Communication with the mobile telecommunications
network 510 may also be implemented using WiFi, Worldwide
Interoperability for Microwave Access, or any other suitable
protocols, and such communication may utilize unlicensed portions
of the radio spectrum (e.g. unlicensed mobile access (UMA)).
Although the above embodiments are described as being implemented
on and with a mobile communication device, it will be understood
that the disclosed embodiments can be practiced on any suitable
device incorporating a processor, memory and supporting software or
hardware. For example, the disclosed embodiments can be implemented
on various types of music, gaming and multimedia devices. In one
embodiment, the system 100 of FIG. 1 may be for example, a personal
digital assistant (PDA) style device 450 illustrated in FIG. 4B.
The personal digital assistant 450 may have a keypad 452, cursor
control 454, a touch screen display 456, and a pointing device 460
for use on the touch screen display 456. In still other alternate
embodiments, the device may be a personal computer, a tablet
computer, touch pad device, Internet tablet, a laptop or desktop
computer, a mobile terminal, a cellular/mobile phone, a multimedia
device, a personal communicator or any other suitable device
capable of containing for example a display 114 shown in FIG. 1,
and supported electronics such as the processor 418 and memory 402
of FIG. 4A. In one embodiment, these devices will be Internet
enabled.
The user interface 102 of FIG. 1 can also include menu systems 124
coupled to the processing module 122 for allowing user input and
commands. The processing module 122 provides for the control of
certain processes of the system 100 including, but not limited to,
the controls for selecting files and objects, establishing and
selecting search and relationship criteria, navigating among the
search results, identifying computer readable text, and detecting
commands for dividing the display into display sections and
scrolling the content presented in each individual section. The
menu system 124 can provide for the selection of different tools
and application options related to the applications or programs
running on the system 100 in accordance with the disclosed
embodiments. In the embodiments disclosed herein, the process
module 122 receives certain inputs, such as for example, signals,
transmissions, instructions or commands related to the functions of
the system 100, such as messages, notifications, start and stop
points and state change requests. Depending on the inputs, the
process module 122 interprets the commands and directs the
applications process control 132 to execute the commands
accordingly in conjunction with the other modules.
The disclosed embodiments may also include software and computer
programs incorporating the process steps and instructions described
above. In one embodiment, the programs incorporating the process
steps described herein can be executed in one or more computers.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a typical apparatus
600 incorporating features that may be used to practice aspects of
the invention. The apparatus 600 can include computer readable
program code means for carrying out and executing the process steps
described herein. In one embodiment the computer readable program
code is stored in a memory of the device. In alternate embodiments
the computer readable program code can be stored in memory or
memory medium that is external to, or remote from, the apparatus
600. The memory can be directly coupled or wirelessly coupled to
the apparatus 600. As shown, a computer system 602 may be linked to
another computer system 604, such that the computers 602 and 604
are capable of sending information to each other and receiving
information from each other. In one embodiment, computer system 602
could include a server computer adapted to communicate with a
network 606. Alternatively, where only one computer system is used,
such as computer 604, computer 604 will be configured to
communicate with and interact with the network 606. Computer
systems 602 and 604 can be linked together in any conventional
manner including, for example, a modem, wireless, hard wire
connection, or fiber optic link. Generally, information can be made
available to both computer systems 602 and 604 using a
communication protocol typically sent over a communication channel
or other suitable connection or line, communication channel or
link. In one embodiment, the communication channel comprises a
suitable broad-band communication channel. Computers 602 and 604
are generally adapted to utilize program storage devices embodying
machine-readable program source code, which is adapted to cause the
computers 602 and 604 to perform the method steps and processes
disclosed herein. The program storage devices incorporating aspects
of the disclosed embodiments may be devised, made and used as a
component of a machine utilizing optics, magnetic properties and/or
electronics to perform the procedures and methods disclosed herein.
In alternate embodiments, the program storage devices may include
magnetic media, such as a diskette, disk, memory stick or computer
hard drive, which is readable and executable by a computer. In
other alternate embodiments, the program storage devices could
include optical disks, read-only-memory ("ROM") floppy disks and
semiconductor materials and chips.
Computer systems 602 and 604 may also include a microprocessor for
executing stored programs. Computer 604 may include a data storage
device 608 on its program storage device for the storage of
information and data. The computer program or software
incorporating the processes and method steps incorporating aspects
of the disclosed embodiments may be stored in one or more computers
602 and 604 on an otherwise conventional program storage device. In
one embodiment, computers 602 and 604 may include a user interface
610, and/or a display interface 612 from which aspects of the
invention can be accessed. The user interface 610 and the display
interface 612, which in one embodiment can comprise a single
interface, can be adapted to allow the input of queries and
commands to the system, as well as present the results of the
commands and queries, as described with reference to FIG. 1, for
example.
The aspects of the disclosed embodiments allow a user to divide a
display into display sections such that the content in each display
section can be individually scrolled. The individual scrolling of
the content in the respective display sections allows for the
comparison or viewing of non-contiguous content with a device
having a small or limited display. It is noted that the embodiments
described herein can be used individually or in any combination
thereof. It should be understood that the foregoing description is
only illustrative of the embodiments. Various alternatives and
modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without
departing from the embodiments. Accordingly, the present
embodiments are intended to embrace all such alternatives,
modifications and variances that fall within the scope of the
appended claims.
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